Moscow Idaho Mayor still at banning firearms

Moscow isn't going to ban guns in city-owned places any time soon, but the idea still is being considered.

State Rep. Shirley Ringo said proposed legislation that would allow cities to regulate firearms in public places won't be ready to go before the Idaho Legislature in its coming session, which begins Jan. 7.

Ringo_ShirleyRingo said the plan would need strong backing before it's ever discussed by legislators. Some of that backing may need to come from the Moscow City Council, and incoming council members have mixed feelings about the idea.

Mayor Nancy Chaney asked Ringo in late October for help in presenting legislation that would disallow firearms in places such as City Hall and public parks, pools and youth facilities. The legislation also could provide enforcement authority, strengthen concealed weapons permits requirements, provide for multi-jurisdictional record-keeping of firearm sales and encourage gun safety education.

In August, Chaney asked City Attorney Randy Fife to write to the Idaho attorney general's office to determine whether the city had the authority to regulate firearms. Deputy Attorney General Stephen A. Bywater sent a reply in September stating the city cannot restrict people from legally carrying firearms.

Chaney then sent letters to Ringo, Rep. Tom Trail and state Sen. Gary Schroeder. Ringo responded, offering her help in drafting and presenting legislation.

Ringo said she's happy to help the mayor, but getting the legislation ready to go before the Legislature won't be easy.

"There's no point in going down there with something that doesn't have a chance," she said.

Moscow's City Council must first decide what direction it wants to go with the legislation, Ringo said.

The issue has been pending before Moscow's Administrative Committee for several weeks, but has been delayed. Chaney was out of town when it was first scheduled to be discussed. Councilman Aaron Ament requested the most recent delay on Monday because he was ill and could not attend the Administrative Committee meeting.

The issue likely will be brought back to the Administrative Committee on Dec. 10.

Chaney said she has drafted a resolution to be considered by the City Council regarding the legislation. However, the discussion likely won't reach the council until after three new members are seated in January.

Councilman-elect Dan Carscallen said he won't support the legislation.

"I don't think that it's a problem, for one. I mean, I don't think that making it illegal is going to stop somebody from doing something untoward," he said. "If somebody's going to cross that line, a law's not going to stop it."

Chaney said restricting guns in City Hall helps ensure open government by making sure no one at a public meeting is intimidated because someone with an opposing viewpoint is armed.

Carscallen said if armed intimidation is a concern, "then you've got bigger problems than just somebody packing a gun around."

Councilman-elect Walter Steed said he's willing to discuss the issue, but does not have enough information to take a position.

"I don't know all of the circumstances that brought the mayor to the decision that she needed to make that request," he said.

Steed said he doesn't know why anyone would feel the need to bring a firearm into City Hall. He and Councilman-elect Wayne Krauss agreed that enforcing a ban on firearms in places such as City Hall would be incredibly difficult.

Krauss said the legislation wouldn't stop someone intent on committing a crime from doing so.

"I don't think this is creating the solution that the mayor wants to see happen," he said. "If you've got some conflict-resolution problems that are going on, simply telling somebody that you can't bring a weapon in City Hall is not going to solve that problem."

Councilman Tom Lamar, who was appointed to the council in June and elected in November, said it makes sense to look at the legislation.

"It certainly makes sense to consider not having firearms in those areas for obvious reasons," he said. "Guns aren't really going to be needed in the City Hall. Guns aren't going to be needed in the Eggan Youth Center. Guns aren't needed in the Hamilton Recreation Center."

Lamar said having the state Legislature look at the issue also will help clarify what powers entities such as cities and counties have in regard to regulating firearms.

Chaney said people are justifiably protective of their rights when discussing this issue.

"The objective is not to trounce on people's constitutional rights, but rather to provide for people's safety as best as we can, as best we are authorized to do by law," she said.

Chaney said she is just asking Ringo and the other legislators to consider carrying legislation forward. If the final answer is no, "then that's what we deal with at that point."

Ringo said she personally would prefer that people not be allowed to carry firearms to public meetings.

The legislation likely would have "even odds" if it had the support of the Idaho Association of Cities and the Idaho Police Chiefs Association, Ringo said. It would take a lot of work for even that because the issue is so sensitive.

"The thing that we have to realize is that Idaho is maybe stronger than many states in terms of people wanting to protect their rights to have guns," she said. "It wouldn't be a given to get it done."

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Megistopoda

November 29, 2007, 03:54 PM

Although this will never go anywhere in Idaho....

It sure is high time that the 2A be incorporated to provide protection against state and local governments.

Here in Illinois....we would REALLY welcome that.

JeanC

November 29, 2007, 03:58 PM

I'm not sure about Tom Trail, but I doubt she is going to get any help from Gary Schroeder as I have heard he is not in favor of changing the law. I also believe he is looking into whether or not the university can legally deny people who have CCWs the right to carry on campus.

Winchester 73

November 29, 2007, 05:54 PM

Somewhat disturbing that a discussion of this type is going on in such a pro-gun state as Idaho.The Social elitists are popping up everywhere.
Dan Carscallen has his head on straight.We have seen in NYC and DC ,even with metal detectors this just does not work, aside from being anti God given self defense.Krauss seems intelligent.Sneed sounds very naive and foolish.
Mayor Chaney,Councilman Lamarr and Rep.Ringo are just spouting more Socialist, feel good legislative nonsense.
It won't pass at this time ,but Idaho is sounding more like Montana every day.

jeepmor

November 29, 2007, 06:00 PM

I'd think an issue like this would be a career ender in Idaho politics. Their arguments are very weak if this article represents all they have.

skinewmexico

November 29, 2007, 07:26 PM

So has all of Idaho been taken over by Californians, or just Moscow? Or are they just trying to be like the sister city in Russia?

MD_Willington

November 29, 2007, 08:23 PM

She's (Chaney) worse, she's getting into everything, including trying to stop development in Pullman WA next door...

xjchief

November 29, 2007, 10:04 PM

I'm from Moscow but haven't been back there in years. I do go to Coeur D'Alene frequently and have noticed a big shift in things. I think it's all the people fleeing ********** but bringing it with them. Sad to see.

Grizfire

November 29, 2007, 11:49 PM

Guns aren't really going to be needed in the City Hall.

That said just a few months after a nut case fired dozens of rounds into Moscow city hall!! In fact, the shooting last spring is what sparked this debate?????????

Next time a shooting like this happens, it may be during a meeting. In this case everyone should be armed.

Part of me is relieved I will be moving away from this town, part of me is disgusted that I'll most likely be moving to the peoples republic of commie-fornia where all the jobs are located.

Like they say, Idahoans are ex-Californians, and Californians are ex-Idahoans.

Grizfire

November 29, 2007, 11:53 PM

BTW, if anyone would like to drop Nancy an email, her websight has a link

http://www.moscow.id.us/mayor/MeetMayor.asp

mljdeckard

December 6, 2007, 01:25 PM

Does every conservative state have a haven or two of liberals where they hole up and yell about a whole lot of nothing because it's the only way they think they will be heard?

Grizfire

December 6, 2007, 01:53 PM

Does every conservative state have a haven or two of liberals where they hole up and yell about a whole lot of nothing because it's the only way they think they will be heard?

Yep, its called college towns!!

Dr_B

January 30, 2013, 02:07 AM

The Mayor of Moscow, Idaho is at it again! She's recently met with the city council in an attempt to pressure the state of Idaho to change existing laws that restrict her from regulating firearms. Right now, all she can do is regulate shooting ranges and discharging of firearms in the city. She wants the state to allow her to restrict ownership, ban certain weapons, confiscate guns, etc. Basically, she wants to enact some of the Obama team's suggestions way ahead of the federal government.

This time she has a supporting letter from the Chief of Police. I understand from friends close to the chief that he more or less had to write the letter, political issues within the city and all I suppose. I know him fairly well and he is generally a pro-gun person.

Dr_B

January 30, 2013, 02:10 AM

The mayor's letter. Part of a 131 page document available online at:http://www.ci.moscow.id.us/storage/public_records/agendas/06%20Firearms%20Violence%20Discussion.pdf

Dear :
The City of Moscow, Idaho is proud of our Police Department. We appreciate
their professionalism, fairness, and level-headed approach to law enforcement.
We are acutely aware that even in a community like ours, their jobs may require
them to put their lives on the line. That’s why we take seriously the Department’s
proposals to prevent gun violence. We respectfully request that you consider the
following comments, endorsed by the City Council and Mayor, distilled from a
December 28, 2012 memo titled, “Police Recommendations to Reduce Gun
Violence.”
Recurring mass fatalities involving guns have reignited the national dialogue
about government’s role in preventing such senseless crimes. Solutions will
require thoughtful consideration of policymakers, law enforcement, the public,
courts, health officials, and others. It must start with our Legislators, who have
oversight of firearms regulation in the state, and it should include the Federal
government as well. It is incumbent on lower levels of government, law
enforcement agencies, and the public at-large to inform State policymakers about
how their decisions affect all of us, where we live, work, and play—in Idaho’s
cities, towns, neighborhoods, schools, shopping malls, movie theaters, etc. Like
the problem, solutions are bound to be complex, involving affordable access to
mental health care, regulatory policies and enforcement, public education, and
cooperation from manufacturers and the business community.
Enforcement of existing regulations is crucial, but gaps and loopholes pertaining
to the sale, trade, and possession of illegal guns and ammunition also need to be
closed. Law enforcement officials here recommend:
• Consideration of mental illness in the issuance of permits;
• Limiting multiple gun sales to an individual within a specified time
period;
• Requiring gun purchasers to have a designated extended waiting period
and thorough background check;
• Requiring all gun sales, including at gun shows and personal sales, to be
federally-documented, traceable, and completed in-person through
authorized Federal firearms licensees;
• Increasing penalties for unlawful gun possession and use;
ltr-reducing gun violence
January ___, 2013
Page 2 of 3
• Carefully defining what is an “assault” weapon (see
generally http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/regagunfaqs#1 for an example) and
reducing access to such weapons;
• Limiting access to high-capacity gun magazines;
• Standardizing threat assessment reporting systems through hotlines, social
media, or third party reports that warrant confidentiality, anonymity, and
witness immunity;
• Controlling the sale of ammunition by:
o Recording all sales and conducting on-site background checks for
disqualification;
o Prohibiting the sale of armor-piercing bullets and explosive rounds to
the public
o Limiting the sale of ammunition .50 caliber or higher;
• Supporting national standards for the issuance and holding of concealed
weapons permits, including:
o Gun safety education and demonstration of proficiency of use;
o Lawful possession and use, including language for revocation,
suspension, or permanent relinquishment when the holder has been
judged unfit or has violated a standard in the concealed carry permit
regulations;
• Mandating that a ballistic fingerprint is recorded for every gun sold and
placed into an A.T.F. database;
• Addressing deficiencies that endanger our communities with:
o Mandatory reporting of lost or stolen guns;
o Law enforcement access to ATF’s gun sales and tracing databases;
o Mandating safe storage of guns, including locking or safety devices;
o Offering voluntary surrender and/or trade back programs for guns;
o Mandatory seizure or surrender of firearms and ammunition to law
enforcement until court status hearings for:
 Crimes involving violence;
 Violations of court protective/no-contact orders;
 Felony drug arrests;
 Violations related to possession, use, or transport of guns or
ammunition;
 Suicide attempts.
To be sure, the majority of gun owners are law abiding, responsible citizens, who
will presumably support a commonsense approach to gun rights and regulations,
recommended by frontline professionals, entrusted with enforcing the law and
preserving public safety. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Nancy J. Chaney Walter M. Steed

Alaska444

January 30, 2013, 03:20 AM

Although this will never go anywhere in Idaho....

It sure is high time that the 2A be incorporated to provide protection against state and local governments.

Here in Illinois....we would REALLY welcome that.
It already was in McDonald.